First death in Dakar rally

[Ghost Lemur]

From the communique..

The organisation of the Dakar received the news this morning of the death of South Africa’s Elmer Symons, bike rider n°107.
Today at 9:16, the race headquarters received an Iritrack alert coming from km 142 of the 4th stage from Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate.
On the site of the crash by helicopter 8 minutes later, the race direction could only record the death, confirmed 10 minutes later by the medical helicopter.

Head of a company specialised in the exportation of metal parts from the United States to South Africa, 29-year-old Elmer Symons was taking part in his first Dakar as a competitor. He had lived two others in an assistance crew. He was 18th overall.

The rally organisation is waiting for the return of Kingsley Symons who takes care of the assistance of his brother to witness their support and sadness.


I know he was racing as part of an American team that has been closely followed by (and whom some are members of) the Advrider.com forums.

Thoughts go out to his friends and family. Running 18th in his first Dakar shows Elmer was obviously a rider of considerable talent.

[Ghost Lemur]

Here is a link to a bit more info on Elmer (scroll down).

[Dutchee]

Damn, not the best advertising Dakar can come up with. Does (sort of) make you wonder why it's so popular (apart from the fact it's damned hard, an epic journey & a thousand other reasons).
Another tragic day in the history of Dakar, may the rest of the event go without more casualties.
Thanks for the post, even though I check results daily, don't read all the news from during the day.

[98tls]

Bugger.........after last year was hopeing we wouldnt have to read of more tragedy..........still its the great race and they all no the risks.........hopefully no more eh...................

[Lou Girardin]

It's the risk that's makes it a challenge. An increasingly rare thing in our cotton wool wrapped world.
Some bleeding heart will call to ban it. (again)

[denill]

Damn, not the best advertising Dakar can come up with. Does (sort of) make you wonder why it's so popular (apart from the fact it's damned hard, an epic journey & a thousand other reasons).
Another tragic day in the history of Dakar, may the rest of the event go without more casualties.
Thanks for the post, even though I check results daily, don't read all the news from during the day.

It,s not too surprising that the event is oversubscribed. Some like the challenge!
Take the IoM for instance.

I bet some say you are mad for riding bikes - on-road and/or off-road!

[Brian d marge]

You can Down load this years dakar @ isohunt.com

Just finished watching day 3, and yes its sad to see the american racing , as you know it his last!!

he was on fire though ,,,and Coma well ....

Still an awesome race ! on stage 1 the were 500 000 spectators

( love the romaniac rally better)

Stephen

[Ghost Lemur]

You can Down load this years dakar @ isohunt.com

Just finished watching day 3, and yes its sad to see the american racing , as you know it his last!!

he was on fire though ,,,and Coma well ....

Still an awesome race ! on stage 1 the were 500 000 spectators

( love the romaniac rally better)

Stephen

Romaniacs and Erzberg both rock. But Dakar is something special.

I've been getting my torrents off of sportbit.org (Nice Eurosport rips).

Still cheering on Despres even though he had a bitch of a first half. I expect you are, too being a Romaniacs fan.